Ian Wightman, prawn trawler fisherman from Largs.
As he prepared to head out to the deepest waters of the North Sea to load his trawler called the Audacious with MSC-accredited haddock and cod, foremost on skipper David Gatt’s mind was the potential aftermath of Hurricane Irma and Maria. Although the strength of the gusts that devastated the Caribbean Islands earlier this month have died down, he and his cousin and co-skipper had to factor in the possibility that the wind could be stronger than usual at this time of year.
“It’s starting to get a wee bit rougher, but this trip out we’re expecting extra low pressure from the North Atlantic” said David. With an eight man crew, his job is to make the right call between their safety and netting as much fish as possible.
“The wind is the only thing that bothers us, but it doesn’t stop us going to sea. Shooting and hauling the nets in windy conditions does dictate what you’re going to catch. It’s a risk-reward situation,” explained David.
“It’s the job I was born into and such things are part of our life, so we don’t think about it too much. As long as I know people are enjoying the fish we land, that’s reward enough.”
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Article written by Cate Devine, Scottish based food writer for 25 years @CateDvineWriter